Mt. Pleasant News

To the editor:It was wonderful to hear that the American Legion Post in West Point, Holtz-Geers Post 668, will be undergoing a renovation ? which it desperately needs. And even better to hear that Mr. Harold Dyer has been so generous in helping to make this possible.The Legion is the site of so many memories ? from birthdays to weddings to wakes. And those Sunday night West Point dances! ? which used up so much ...

To the editor:I am writing in response to a letter written concerning the leadership in the Mt Pleasant Community School District. In the letter the writer stated, ?If you honestly want to know what is going on in the district ? ask a teacher, a para-educator, a lunchroom worker, a bus driver, a maintenance person, an administrative assistant or a long-term substitute.?I have been an administrative assistant ...

To the Editor:The response of the vice president of the Mt. Pleasant School Board in last Wednesday?s newspaper (July 23 Mt. Pleasant News) confirmed my suspicions as to where some, if not all, of the board stood.The fact that two board members voted not to table the contract extension, but wanted to make it happen adds to the confirmation that the board is not concerned about the students and the teachers of ...

To the editor:Forest Home Cemetery is the final resting place for many who have finished their earthly pilgrimage and made their passage to everlasting life. A cemetery is blessed ground which evokes memories.Are we not obligated to bestow upon it care, reverence and respect, as it holds the remains of loved ones we made this earthly journey with; an enduring remembrance of our loved ones?Most people believe ...

To the editor:At the July 14 meeting of the Mt. Pleasant Community School District Board of Directors, I delivered the results of a vote taken by the teachers in the district. As I stated at the meeting, 99 of the 102 teachers who voted said they have no confidence in the leadership of the district.I also read comments written by one of the teachers and described the atmosphere of fear and tension that I ...

To the editor:As a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School, I was interested to learn more about the proposed strategic plan for the community?s schools so I went to one of the five community meetings.I was impressed with the scope of the plan, both including academic proposals and improvements to our facilities. Also, it was clear that this was a proposal and not a done deal.The board of education was asking for ...

To the editor:(Mt. Pleasant) School Board President Brad Holtkamp stated at a community meeting April 30 that the board was aware Superintendent (Mike) Wells did not have his educational doctorate when he was hired.Were they aware of their blatant violation of board policy 302.2 by hiring Wells for an initial term which exceeded one year? Wells stated on his Winterset resume he anticipated receiving an education...

By MEGAN COOPERMt. Pleasant NewsI looked at the 10-day forecast and I was immediately excited. The temperatures are finally warming up and I will spend as much time as I can outside.I?m so ready for spring/summer it?s not even funny. I have avoided looking at the weather because I fear what I will see. I don?t think I can handle any more snow, not this winter anyway, maybe not even next. Definitely snowed ...

By TRISHA PHELPSMt. Pleasant NewsIn preparing for my upcoming (I use that term loosely, as the event is over a year away) wedding, my fiancé, Scott, and I are trying to figure out the logistical stuff, such as where we will live. It?s getting pretty comical.There is a book I remember reading when I was little about a country mouse and a city mouse. That book would pretty much sum up the majority of our ...

I always thought I was a person who enjoyed having a pet. After recent developments, however, I am beginning to wonder if having a pet is really a good choice for me.Several months ago, I shared about a stupid fish that I used to have, and told you I would never again own a Betta fish. Now I am beginning to wonder if I should ever own a cat.I would first like to clarify and say that I think pets and animals are ...

By MEGAN COOPER Mt. Pleasant NewsSitting here, I keep thinking about the very few days we?ve had in 2014. To say it has been a ?joy? would be lying.The year began with the typical ?I will change that and that? attitude. A few self-improvements never hurt anyone.Then, tragedy struck. And again. Now I wait for the third. Bad luck always comes in threes?right?I did not know them well, just in passing, but ...

By BROOKS TAYLORMt. Pleasant NewsA long time ago, I heard a friend define a problem as nothing more than a disguised opportunity.At the time, the remark was one of those ?in one ear, out the other? scenarios, barely registering.Over the years, however, problems have taken me back to the definition and have found the definition holds a lot of truth.Along those same lines, I firmly believe that there is a ...